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VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Walz calls for vaccine and testing requirements for teachers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz is calling on lawmakers to approve a series of new measures to respond to the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine and testing requirements for teachers and school staff, and for long-term care workers. The Democratic governor detailed his proposal in a letter to lawmakers that he released after meeting privately with legislative leaders. Walz urged them to approve the measures during a special session that was originally envisioned for last month to approve a $250 million bonus package for frontline workers who risked their lives in the pandemic. Negotiations on that plan have yet to produce an agreement.

AP-US-POLICE-SHOOTING-MINNEAPOLIS-NOOR

Minneapolis cop who killed 911 caller resentenced Oct. 21

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot a woman who called 911 to report a possible rape behind her home is being resentenced this month, after the Minnesota Supreme Court threw out his murder conviction. Mohamed Noor was initially convicted of murder and manslaughter in the 2017 death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, a dual U.S.-Australian citizen. He was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison on the murder count. But the Supreme Court ruled last month that the third-degree murder statute wouldn’t apply in Noor’s case, so that conviction was tossed out. Noor is still convicted of manslaughter and will be sentenced on Oct. 21. If sentenced to the presumptive four years for manslaughter, he could be eligible for supervised release around the end of this year.

APPEALS COURT-NUISANCE YARD

Appeals court sides with homeowner and his natural yard

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota appeals court has ruled in favor of a retired botany and physics professor whose unmanicured yard was declared a public nuisance. Ed Borchardt wanted a natural yard, filled with native plants and flowers that would attract birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. The city of North Mankato disagreed with his vision and said his yard doesn’t meet the standards of a new local ordinance that encourages naturally managed lawns. The appeals court on Monday said a city cannot declare a nuisance “based on little more than neighbors’ displeasure with the property’s appearance.” City Administrator John Harrenstein said officials will consult with their lawyers on how to proceed.

DEPUTY SHOOTING-BLAINE

Anoka County deputy shoots, wounds armed suspect

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say an Anoka County sheriff’s deputy shot and wounded a man accused of firing a gun in a Blaine neighborhood. Officers responded to a report of a man shooting a gun about 10:15 p.m. Monday. Anoka County Sheriff’s Cmdr. Wayne Heath says the suspect fired additional shots after law enforcement officers arrived. A perimeter was established to contain the suspect. Neighbors were advised to shelter in place because the man was still shooting. Heath says at one point the man shot in the direction of a residence. A sheriff’s deputy then shot and wounded the suspect. He was taken to the hospital. His condition is not known.

AP-US-GEORGE-FLOYD-TEXAS-ARREST

Fate of George Floyd pardon request now with Texas governor

HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas agency has approved a request that George Floyd be granted a posthumous pardon for a 2004 drug arrest made by a now-indicted ex-Houston police officer whose case history is under scrutiny following a deadly drug raid. Monday’s unanimous recommendation by the seven member Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant the pardon will now be forwarded to Gov. Greg Abbott, who will make the final decision. A spokeswoman for Abbott hasn’t returned an email seeking comment. An attorney with the Harris County Public Defender’s Office who submitted the pardon request in April says she’s pleased by the board’s decision.

GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE-DEATH-PLEA

Man pleads guilty in fatal shooting at George Floyd Square

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 31-year-old Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge for fatally shooting another man at the intersection where George Floyd died in police custody. Shantaello Christianson pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree manslaughter and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say Christianson will be sentenced to 10 years as part of the guilty plea. Christianson admitted to killing 30-year-old Imez Wright outside Cup Foods on March 6. Authorities say Wright was shot multiple times in the chest and hand. The intersection became a makeshift memorial after Floyd’s death and is now known as George Floyd Square.

CAPITOL BREACH-MINNESOTA

3 Minnesota men charged in Jan. 6 US Capitol riot

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Three more Minnesota men have been charged for allegedly participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Federal prosecutors charged 62-year-old Robert Westbury, his 19-year-old son Isaac Westbury and another man, 35-year-old Aaron James, with crimes ranging from assaulting Capitol police officers to disorderly conduct. The three men, from Lindstrom, were arrested about six months after another son of Westbury’s, 26-year-old Jonah Westbury, was also charged. With Monday’s arrests, a total of eight Minnesotans have been charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6 insurrection. More than 600 people have been charged overall.

ATV FATAL-CHILD DIES

Boy, 9, dies in crash of ATV operated by 10-year-old

HILLMAN, Minn. (AP) — A 9-year-old boy died and a 10-year-old boy suffered minor injuries in an ATV crash in central Minnesota. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office says the 10-year-old was operating the side-by-side ATV near a cornfield in Lakin Township on Sunday evening when he lost control and the vehicle flipped. Both boys were thrown from the vehicle and the 9-year-old died at the scene. The crash is being investigated and additional details about the boys were not being released.